Shane Black’s Predator Casts Olivia Munn

Despite director Shane Black’s best efforts to keep news under-wraps concerning his sequel/reboot ThePredator, also known by its somewhat-confusing working title Ollie, fans simply cannot stop talking about this highly anticipated movie. The upcoming film (also co-written by Black) will mark the first entry in the Predator franchise since 2010, when Predators hit the scene.

The anticipation around The Predator is not without its merits either, as Black has now deliver some highly-revered films – cult classic Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and this year’s (under-appreciated) The Nice Guys among them. The semi-continuation of the beloved Arnold Schwarzenegger-led Predator currently counts Narcos star Boyd Holbrook among its ranks, after potential star Benicio Del Toro passed on the film. It would appear, however, that The Predator has found its next cast member now.

THRis reporting that X-Men: Apocalypsecostar Olivia Munn looks to join Holbrook as a member of the (human) cast for The Predator. Munn’s turn as Psylocke in the aforementioned X-Men film marked the actress’ first role in a major franchise movie. She will next star alongside Jennifer Aniston, Kate McKinnon, and Jason Bateman (among others) in the DreamWorks raunchy winter holiday comedy, Office Christmas Party.

Former Attack of the Show! host Munn has been on the rise as a film actress over the past few years, going back to her role as Joanna in the Channing Tatum-led Magic Mike. She has since gone on to appear in a number of films, play a leading role on Aaron Sorkin’s TV series The Newsroom – and is even slated to lend her voice acting talents to next year’s The LEGO Ninjago Movie(alongside Dave Franco and Jackie Chan, among others).

As alluded to earlier, Black and company are keeping a tight lip concerning The Predator‘s (although the film’s writer/director has teased certain elements), but it is being reported that Munn will be portraying a scientist opposite Holbrook’s Special Forces officer in the film. It’s been rumored for some time that Schwarzenegger may reprise his role as Dutch in the film too, but for now that’s far from a given.

Some Predator fans might still be feeling the sting of losing the heavy-hitting Del Toro as a cast member in Black’s film. Still, as more fresh talents continue to fill out the roster, excitement should continue to build for the project. The addition of Schwarzenegger would be a major coup for the film too – but regardless, Olivia Munn joining the project is intriguing on its own, for now.